Sharma came to Hanwell from India in 1968 and became a bus conductor on the 207 route, later working as a day services manager for people with learning disabilities in Hillingdon. He began his political career by joining the Liberal Party, then switched to Labour in later years. He was Race Equalities Officer to the Labour Party nationally.[citation needed]

He was a local councillor in the London Borough of Ealing from 1982–2010 and was Mayor for part of his time as councillor.[4] He was criticised by councillors from other political parties for his level of attendance at council meetings[5] and stood down as a local councillor at the 2010 local elections.

Virendra Sharma was elected as MP in the Ealing Southall by-election, held on 19 July 2007. The by-election was called following the death of the sitting Labour MP, Piara Khabra on 19 June 2007.[6] Sharma held on to the seat at the 2010 General Election. As a new MP in 2008, Sharma had signed a letter drafted by Keith Vaz on behalf of Shahrokh Mireskandari, for which Vaz was criticised for not declaring his relationship with the Miskanderi family. Sharma said that Vaz had not informed him of the relationship and that he would "be more questioning before I sign a letter in future".[7]

In September 2011, Sharma was investigated by the Electoral Commission, over a £5,000 donation allegedly made by the Indian Tourist Board and not declared in the Parliamentary register of members' interests. Sharma strenouously denied receiving the donation: "I have never received a donation from Indiatourism and have therefore never been liable to make a declaration in the Parliamentary register of members' interests".[10] Virendra Sharma was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing in December 2011.[11]

In 2016, in a U-turn on his previous stance, Sharma announced that he now supported Heathrow expansion.[12]

In 2017, Sharma voted against the bill on triggering Article 50 in the House of Commons, justifying his position with concern over Brexit's potential effects on the economy.[13]

Sharma has been married to Nirmala since 1968, with a grown-up son and daughter and three grandchildren.[14] He is currently a school governor at the Three Bridges and Wolf Fields schools.[citation needed]

In June 2018, Sharma was inducted into Power Brands: Hall of Fame - U.K. at London International Forum for Equality[15]